Compactors 101

The trash compactor is a rectangular appliance designed to fit seamlessly as part of a modular cabinet system for a kitchen. According to a review in the October 12, 1970 issue of Time a compactor “looks like a kissing cousin to a small filing cabinet.”

Trash compactors compress trash with a ram on jack screws. This ram descends vertically to crush household waste into compact, dense masses of easily disposable refuse. Using only a standard 117-volt outlet in most cases, its 1/3 to ½ horsepower motor would compact the waste. Most advertisements estimated that three to five ordinary bags of garbage could fit into one compacted bag, making taking the trash out a once-weekly chore.